DHS Operation Catahoula Crunch Nets Criminal Illegal Aliens in New Orleans, Including Murderers, Kidnappers

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have launched Operation Catahoula Crunch in New Orleans, apprehending dozens of criminal illegal aliens, including individuals charged with murder and kidnapping. The concentrated enforcement action, which began December 3, 2025, highlights a federal commitment to removing dangerous individuals from American communities.

Operation Catahoula Crunch aims to enhance public safety by targeting and removing criminal illegal aliens who pose a direct threat. This joint effort by DHS and its component, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), unfolds amidst a contentious national debate surrounding enforcement guidelines. The New Orleans action mirrors a recent, larger-scale operation in Houston, Texas, signaling a nationwide approach to these enforcement efforts.

Among those apprehended in New Orleans is Binh Van To, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, with convictions for robbery, kidnapping, homicide, and aggravated assault. Also taken into custody was Hung Ngoc Tran, from Vietnam, arrested for sexual assault and child fondling, despite a final order of removal issued in 2010. Carlos Roberto Guardado-Ramirez, a Honduran national, faces charges including simple battery and domestic abuse. These specific arrests, detailed December 4, 2025, highlight the severe nature of the alleged crimes.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin spoke on the immediate impact of the New Orleans operation, stating federal efforts are directly aimed at community protection.

“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens harming them, their families, or their neighbors. In just 24 hours on the ground, our law enforcement officers have arrested violent criminals with rap sheets that include homicide, kidnapping, child abuse, robbery, theft, and assault.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary

The New Orleans sweep follows a significant six-week ICE operation in Houston, conducted between October 1 and November 12, 2025. That effort led to the arrest of over 3,500 criminal illegal aliens. The Houston operation included individuals identified as sex offenders, child predators, murderers, and gang members. For example, Brayan Josue Pineda-Ayala, an alleged MS-13 gang member, was arrested October 7, 2025, after reportedly committing a triple homicide. Another case involved Froilan Mejia Olveram, a twice-removed convicted rapist, arrested October 23, 2025, after allegedly committing another rape following his release under recent enforcement guidelines.

Bret Bradford, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO) Houston Field Office Director, emphasized his team’s dedication to their critical mission.

“Our entire team understands how critical ICE\u2019s mission is to public safety and national security, and despite many of them going without pay, they continued to show up every day and give everything they had to protect this community from dangerous criminal illegal alien gang members, child predators, murderers and rapists.”

— Bret Bradford, ICE ERO Houston Field Office Director

Bradford also highlighted the direct results of these intensive efforts.

“As a result of those efforts, 51 dangerous child predators are no longer free to prey on our children, 10 fugitives have been apprehended and will now face justice for their alleged offenses, and thousands of other violent criminal aliens have been removed from local communities throughout Southeast Texas and will be removed from the United States.”

— Bret Bradford, ICE ERO Houston Field Office Director

These operations signal a robust federal stance on immigration enforcement, particularly concerning individuals with criminal records. Those arrested face potential deportation proceedings after addressing their criminal charges. The ongoing national debate around immigration policy, border security, and enforcement guidelines is expected to intensify, influencing discussions on sanctuary cities. Communities nationwide are watching closely for the impact of these sustained actions.